Kings’ Blood Drive Brings In More Than 300 Donors

Henry Block relaxes as he donates a pint of blood at Sleep Train Arena on Veterans Day. BloodSource collected more than 300 pints of blood from donors in the Sacramento region.OBSERVER photo by Antonio R. Harvey

NORTH NATOMAS — The Sacramento Kings fans donated more than 300 pints of blood to BloodSource at Sleep Train Arena on Veterans’ Day. The goal was to reach 275, though the drive successfully exceeded that expectation.

BloodSource staff was busy for six hours registering, collecting, and thanking individuals for donating blood for patients in need. Donors were granted certain incentives at the Blood Drive. But more important, some would say, giving blood was an act of kindness.

“This is my first time donating blood,” Henry Block told The OBSERVER after donating a pint with other donors on the Kings’ basketball court. “If I can help somebody who needs the blood…I will.”

The blood drive also honored service men and women with special ticket discounts and giveaways. The first 275 donors received two tickets to a Kings game in December, a coupon for a free taco or burrito from Jimboy’s Tacos, and a 20 percent discount to any Kings Team Store.

In addition, for each blood donation, the Kings gave a ticket to a member of the military for Salute to Services Night when the team takes on the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 13.

For Kings fans who are unable to attend the blood drive at Sleep Train, BloodSource Donor Centers in Elk Grove, Folsom and Midtown participated that same day.

Veterans associated with the Wounded Warriors program will sit courtside during Salute to Services Night in seats donated by Kings owners. Prior to the game, they will watch the Kings warm-ups and have the opportunity to talk to players.